Recent advances in the shape and configuration of photovoltaic thermal absorbers

ABSTRACT

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems are solar systems with the primary goal of producing both heat and electricity. The geometrical design of PVT systems is an important aspect of energy production and, consequently, substantial research has been done to investigate the effect of different geometric configurations on the performance of PVT systems. Thus, the present paper provides a comprehensive review of the works that have explored the effects of various geometric channel configurations on the performance of PVT systems in terms of photovoltaic (PV) module temperature, thermal efficiency (ɳ_Th), electrical efficiency (ɳ_EI), and overall efficiency (ɳ_Ov). This review paper concluded that the geometry of the channel and flow channel configurations at the backside of the PV module are the most prominent factors to enhance the heat transfer rate. Most studies found that the optimal fluid flow channel configuration is the helical type, which provides good performance due to an increase in the heat transfer rate due to several bend sections that boost the heat transfer by disrupting the thermal boundary layer. Future research directions in this thrust area are also outlined in this review paper.

KEYWORDS:

• Channel geometry
• flow channel configurations
• heat transfer
• nanofluid
• photovoltaic thermal system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rajan Kumar

Dr. Rajan Kumar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute ofTechnology Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Thermal and Fluid Sciences from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, India, in 2017. His research interest includes microfluidics and nanofluidics, computational fluid dynamics,optimization of thermal devices, nano-enhanced PCMs in PVT systems and energy management. Currently, he is working on aproject in the field of solar energy awarded by the Department of Science and Technology, India.